Church History & Doctrine Travel Study

Participation Cost

Admitted students are responsible for each of the following expenses in order to participate in the 2025 Church History & Doctrine Travel Study:

• Approximately $500 Program Cost
  
  • The program cost is significantly reduced thanks to the generous financial support of Religious Education at BYU.
  • The program cost covers students’ lodging, ground transportation, admissions, and about 25 group meals.
  • The final program cost will be communicated at the time of admission.
  • The program cost will be due approximately 7 days after a student is admitted to the program.
• Roundtrip Airfare to/from Missouri
  
  • Admitted students are responsible for the cost of roundtrip airfare to/from Missouri.
  • Students will be responsible for making their own flight arrangements shortly after being admitted to the program.
  • Approximate arrival/departure times will be communicated at the time of admission.
• Personal Expenses
  
  • Admitted students will cover the cost of personal meals (approximately 25) during the onsite portion of the program.
  • Students will be responsible for any other incidental or personal expenses through the onsite learning experience.

$500 — Program Cost (approximately)

$??? — Roundtrip Airfare to/from Missouri

$??? — Personal Expenses

= $??? — TOTAL PARTICIPATION COST

Program Dates

Spring Term 2025

Important:

• Admitted students are committing to being available for the entirety of the program dates: April 28 to June 17. 
• Upon successful completion of the travel study program, students will receive 4 hours of Religion credits—Rel C 325 (Doctrine and Covenants) and Rel C 323 (Field Studies in Nauvoo, Illinois).
• Admitted students will be required to attend 1-2 preparatory meetings during the Winter 2025 semester. The dates and times for these meetings will be established after students have been admitted.

On-Campus Instruction — Monday, April 28 to Friday, May 2 

• All admitted students will be required to attend this one week of on-campus instruction. 
• Meeting time for each day will be approximately 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Church History and Doctrine professors will provide important instruction that will prepare students for the on-site learning experience.
• Students will prepare for each day of instruction by reviewing selected readings and videos. Readings will be drawn from The Doctrine and Covenants, Saints, volume 1, The Joseph Smith Papers, etc.

17-Day Onsite Learning Experience to Missouri and Illinois

• All admitted students will participate in a 17-day onsite learning experience.
• To accommodate more students, there will be two 17-day onsite sessions. Students will be assigned to one of the following sessions. Each session will be going to the same locations in Missouri and Illinois. While students can indicate session preference on their application, it is important to remember that admitted students must be available for the entirety of the program.
  
  • Session 1 will be May 4 to 20.
  • Session 2 will be May 22 to June 7.
• During the online learning experience, students will be expected to complete daily readings from a site guide that will be provided. Daily reflections will also be an important part of the learning experience.

Additional Instruction & Activities 

• Depending on your assigned onsite session, there will be additional instruction and activities before and/or after you complete the onsite session. 
  
  • Thus, during onsite session 1, the students waiting to go on session 2 will have some additional instruction and activities. 
  • And during onsite session 2, the students that completed onsite session 1 will have some additional instruction and activities.
• The additional instruction and activities will not be a daily class like at the on-campus instruction that took place at the beginning of the program. 
• The dates and nature of the instruction and activities will be determined and announced in plenty of time before the start of the program so students can plan accordingly.
• Like any college course, there will be assessments and assignments, including a final exam. The nature of these will align with the experiential nature of the travel study program. The final exam must be submitted by the end of the term, Monday, June 17.

General 17-Day Onsite Itinerary

Note that transportation while in Missouri and Illinois will be via vans.

• Days 1-4 — Missouri Cites (lodging near Liberty/Independence)
  
  • Independence Visitor Center, Temple Lot, Community of Christ Temple tour, & Downtown Independence
  • Richmond, Far West, Hawn's Mill, Adam-ondi-Ahman
  • Downtown Kansas City, Kansas City Temple (baptism and endowment ordinances), Liberty Jail
• Days 4-16 — Illinois Cites (lodging in Nauvoo)
  
  • City of Nauvoo (instruction will occur onsite and classroom)
    
    • Nauvoo Visitor Center, Red Brick Store, Smith Family Homestead, Mansion House, Nauvoo House
    • Nauvoo Temple (baptism and endowment ordinances)
    • Homes of the apostles, Seventy's Hall, Nauvoo Temple District,
    • Women's Garden (RS Monuments), Lucy Mack Smith Home, Sarah Granger Kimball home
    • Old Nauvoo Pioneer Cemetery, West Grove, Old Downtown Main Street Shops and Trades, horse stable,
    • Performances by the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries
  • Carthage and Carthage Jail
  • Ramus (Webster), Warsaw, Tioga (Morely Settlement), Monroe, IowaHannibal — Mark Twain River Boat Dinner Cruise
  • Springfield — Varies cites and museum of President Abraham Lincoln
• *Day 16-17 — St. Louis, Missouri
  
  • *Note that this day is subject to change. If changed, program will remain in Nauvoo and return to Kansas City on Day 17.
  • St. Louis Gateway Arch & Museum
  • Downtown St. Louis
  • Depart from St. Louis airport

Application Information & Instructions

Before completing an application, please review the information & instructions below, as well as information on Program Dates, General Onsite Travel Itinerary, and Program Costs (see tabs at top of page).

Space is limited for this travel study program. Applications will be used to make admission decisions. After applications close on January 17, 2025, the program director will review all applications. Selected applicants will be invited for interviews in late January. After interviews are completed, all applicants will receive email notifications regarding admission decisions in early February.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old on the program’s start date (April 28, 2024). Admission preference will be given to currently enrolled BYU-Provo students.

Be prepared to submit the following in your application:

• A brief video introducing yourself, including your name, where you’re from, and any hobbies, talents, or interests.
• Personal information like your phone number and address.
• Emergency contact information.
• BYU academic information.
• Indication that you have reviewed and understand the program’s expectations and requirements.
• Academic and character references.

While you have the option to save your application before submitting it, you are encouraged to complete it in one session.

Be prepared to answer the following essay questions on your application. You are encouraged to type and save your responses in a word processor, then copy and paste them into the application.

1. What inspired you to apply to this Church History & Doctrine Travel Study Program? How do you envision this experience shaping your understanding of church history and your testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ? (No more than 500 words)
2. Similar travel study programs will be offered in the future. Why is this Spring Term 2025 the ideal time for you to participate in this program? (No more than 250 words)
3. This program emphasizes close collaboration with others. How will you contribute uniquely to a supportive, enjoyable, and spiritually enriching group experience? (No more than 250 words)
4. Identify a specific topic or doctrine related to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ that you wish to gain a deeper understanding and testimony of. This could include topics or doctrine that you wrestle with and/or challenge your testimony. Explain how you envision this travel study experience helping you. (No more than 500 words)

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions. Please reach out to the program director with any questions.

Can I be enrolled in other classes while I participate in the travel student program?

What is the cost of the program?
see Program Cost tab

What personal expenses should I plan for?

What if I already have commitment during the on-campus instructional portion of the program?

How much is the airfare and how do I make reservations?

What is the workload like during the onsite portion of the program?